Not only will maintaining your air conditioner save money on energy, but it will extend its lifespan. Also, a properly running air conditioner keeps the occupants comfortable as it removes excess moisture in the air. Improperly maintained operating systems lead to the growth of mold that can exacerbate asthma and allergies. Your HVAC system consists of a heat pump or AC and furnace. It has an interior and exterior unit. If you check and you feel you need to replace the AC unit you can get used parts or unit from online nriparts.com site. Follow the steps below before each cooling season starts.
-
Turn Off The Power and Remove Debris
It is dangerous to work around electricity and moving parts of an air conditioner. Completely shut off the power to the unit and at the breaker box too. After, remove the fan cage on the exterior compressor. Use a screwdriver to remove the fasteners and lift the fan grill from the top unit. By hand, clean the leaves and other debris from the interior.
-
Clean Fins
Remove all outside dirt, and using the garden hose, use a gentle stream to spray through the fins to remove built-up debris or dirt. Avoid using a pressure washer as it will damage the fins. If the fins are too dirty, use a fin cleaning spray and clean following the manufacturer’s directions. Also, straighten the fins to clean them better and improve airflow to increase efficiency. If there are any bent fins, straighten them carefully with a fin straightening tool to keep the tuning within the fins intact.
-
Clean Around The Unit
Once you finish with the above cleaning, return the fan cage. Remove debris and leaves outside the condenser and cut vegetation feet away in all directions to improve airflow around the unit. When not using the condenser during winter months, cover the top of the unit with plastic to keep dirt and debris from falling inside. But, do not cover unit sides completely to prevent moisture from building inside causing corrosion. Notably, if you completely cover the unit, vermin will build nests inside. And when the unit is in operation, keep off any covering.
-
Clean The Evaporator Coil
Now it is time to clean the inside. On the inside, there is an evaporator coil. You may need to remove a few bolts and screws or foil duct tape to view it well. Use a soft brush to dust the coil, and spray with a coil cleaner. Since the cleaning spray foams and drips, clean the drain pan too. Use some bleach, soap, and hot water to clean the drain pan. Rinse it with water and bleach to inhibit the growth of future algae. Close the evaporator coil door and reseal with duct tape if needed.
-
Clean The Evaporator Drain
If you do not clean the evaporator drain, algae and mold will build up over time and plug the drain. So, if the drain is flowing slowly or is not flowing, you will have to unplug it. Unplugging it will prevent flooding, and if it has a drain float, it will help stop the system from cooling to avoid flooding. Find the drain line and follow it to the end and use a vacuum to clear the drain. To avoid ruining the filter, remove the paper filter from the vacuum. Turn on the vacuum for few minutes, turn it off and clear the drain from any biological matter.
-
Change The Blower Filter
Change the filter twice every year, before the heating season and cooling season begins. If the area you live in is dusty, you will need to change it often. Replace the filter with a new one and be careful with air purifying filters, for they can reduce airflow in your system. As a result, it causes the indoor coil to freeze for the airflow is reduced.
To sum up, the above steps will help keep your AC in top shape. However, some maintenance items will only need a trained technician to do so for they have the right tools and skills. Also, having a proper airflow is essential to a properly functioning system, but homeowners do not have the necessary equipment for the job.
